Stone Center for Latin American Studies
Research and Project Associate Proposals
The goal of the Research and Project Associate Program is to provide graduate students an
opportunity to engage in the teaching, research and programmatic life of the Stone Center, its
working groups and institutes. Only projects that provide enrichment and learning experiences,
which contribute to the professional development of our graduate students, will be selected. In
the same spirit, only projects that are institutional in scope will be supported — for example,
research for a monograph by an individual faculty member does not fall within the scope of the
program, but the development of a major conference or lecture series does.
Faculty, professional staff, or affiliated centers and institutes may submit projects. All
applications are due on or before August 15 for a project that will be conducted in the fall
semester and December 20 for the spring semester. Applicants are encouraged to submit
proposals as soon as possible, even as much as several semesters in advance for large preplanned events.
A committee composed of the Center Director, faculty, and staff will make the final selection.
Frequently this committee will ask for second drafts and refinements in proposals before they are
supported. Our goal will be to achieve maximal benefits for all program participants.
Research and Project Associates are normally appointed for one semester. Summer appointments
are not available under this program. Nevertheless, we are cognizant of the fact that some
projects might be better served by full-year commitments. For this reason, reappointments are
possible when mutually agreed upon by all participants.
Fall semester appointments run from the first week of September through the first week of
December (Thanksgiving week excluded); Spring semester appointments from the third week of
January through the third week of April (Mardi Gras week excluded).
Each Associate must work 6 hours per week (a total of 72 hours per semester). Total hours may
be unevenly distributed over the semester depending upon the specific nature and requirements
of the project and upon the student's schedule and commitments.
The Project Director will be responsible for directing the progress of the project and counseling
the Associate in methods and skills required to achieve results of the highest quality. He or she
will make sure that the proposed schedule and duties are adhered to and that the project
continues to be a professionally valuable learning exercise for the Associate.
The Associate must complete all hours by the end of classes for each term. Extensions are not
permitted. Associates that have not completed their commitments will not be eligible for
financial aid.
The Associate must complete all hours by the end of classes for each term. Extensions are not
permitted. Associates that have not completed their commitments will not be eligible for
financial aid.
Both the Research and Project Associates and Project Directors are responsible for completing a
brief mid-semester progress report and a final evaluation of the project and the work experience.
Applicants seeking to become Project Directors must be
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members of the faculty of the Stone Center, its working groups, committees, programs
and affiliated institutes
professional staff members of the Center, its working groups, committees, programs and
affiliated institutes
Priority is given to projects that
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preserve the spirit of the mission and purpose of the program
provide positive learning and professional development experiences for associates
show strong promise for advancing institutional goals
demonstrate careful and thorough planning
achieve clear outcomes in the period of appointment.
To submit a proposal, please provide the following information organized in the following
numbered format. The primary purpose of these questions is to assess the nature and
requirements of the work that will be performed so that Center staff can create productive
collaborations between Directors and Associates in projects that support our research, teaching,
and institutional goals.
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Project Director
Affiliation
Project Title
Project Description (Please explain the project, noting work already accomplished,
funding, and strategic objectives.)
Minimum Qualifications of Associate (Please describe specialized computer or language
skills; subject, disciplinary, or methodological expertise; and previous experience
required of Associate).
Key Responsibilities and Performance Standards (Please define the specific role and
duties that the Associate will have and describe the nature of the collaborative
relationship between the Director and the Associate and degree of independence of the
latter.)
Timelines and Benchmarks (Please outline the approximate time the Associate will
devote to different responsibilities during the appointment. Where applicable, please
break down by project components time devoted to discussion with director, time
attending conference, time mailing letters etc.), providing benchmarks, work schedules,
deadlines, etc.)
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Work Environment (Please describe expectations of where the work will be conducted
and any specific equipment the Associate might need to complete the work assigned.)
Outcomes and Evaluation (Please explain the nature of the product that you anticipate
from the project and how you will assess the quality of the contribution of the Associate.)
Applications are available by contacting the Graduate Advisor.